Stob an Aonaich Mhoir from Loch Rannoch

Gate into Talladh-a-Bheithe Estate

West of Pitlochry, the B8019 follows the northern shore to Tummel Bridge, from where the B846 continues onto Kinloch Rannoch and eventually Rannoch Station.

Near the western end of Loch Rannoch, this route begins by the sharp turn in the road by Bridge of Ericht on the northern shore of the loch. As there is no parking available here, you'll need to head around 1km east where there are some roadside gravel areas by Rannoch Power Station, or slightly further on in a large parking area by the banks of the loch.

Cycling up from Loch Rannoch with Stob an Aonaich Mhoir ahead

From the parking area, head westwards along the road to the sharp turn by Bridge of Ericht, where a large locked gate in a deer-fence guards vehicle access on an estate track heading east. Access for people on foot and bike is through an unlocked side-gate on the right hand side of the main gate, though this can possibly be muddy and require negotiating some overgrown bushes and trees !

Once through gate, begin to cycle uphill through some woodland. Out of the woodland, the track aims in a more northerly direction, then comes to a split . Keeping right, the track then turns north-west and travels above recently felled forestry.

A further 1km on, a gate in a deer fence is passed through, shortly after which junction in track is met - ignore the track on the right and keep lefton the main track.

Another 2km on, the track nears dam at the southern end of Loch Ericht. A detour to dam is worthwhile for the view over the loch and across to the Ossian hills.

Beyond the dam, follow the track for just over 7km, crossing the Allt Ghlas on the way, to reach a point just below the track's highest point . Drop off your bike.

Now on foot, turn north-west away from the track and head directly up the hillside ahead. A fairly gentle hike up over grass and heather, with occasional damp areas of peat and moss, of just over 1km leads to Stob an Aonaich Mhoir's summit .

View down Loch Ericht to hills of Glen Etive and Glen Coe from Stob an Aonaich Mhoir

View down Loch Ericht to hills of Glen Etive and Glen Coe from Stob an Aonaich Mhoir

Returning to Loch Rannoch

From Stob an Aonaich Mhoir's summit, about-turn, retrace your steps back to the estate road and free-wheel all the way back to the roadside at Bridge of Ericht.

If this route was done on foot, a fine alternative return is to head south-west from Stob an Aonaich Mhoir's summit to cross moorland and hike up the slight rise to Carn Dearg with its high lochan under its summit. Note that if taking this option and the Allt Ghlas is in spate, it will only be possible to cross it by using the bridge below the crags on Carn Dearg's south-east face.